Devine Scripture

Mark 9:22

What does Mark 9:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:22 means

The father further details the demon's destructive intent, describing how it frequently tried to kill his son by throwing him into fire and water. He then expresses his desperation, ending with a plea: "if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." This highlights the father's deep anguish and his limited, conditional faith, acknowledging Jesus' potential power but still holding onto an element of doubt.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And frequently it has sent him into the fire and into the water, for his destruction; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us, and give us help.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and many times also it cast him into fire, and into water, that it might destroy him; but if thou art able to do anything, help us, having compassion on us.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus saith to him: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and often it has cast him both into fire and into waters that it might destroy him: but if thou couldst [do] anything, be moved with pity on us, and help us.

Context

This verse continues the father's heartbreaking account of his son's affliction, immediately following Jesus' inquiry about the illness's duration. The father's desperate plea, tinged with conditional faith ("if you can"), sets the stage directly for Jesus' powerful response about the limitless possibilities of belief, transitioning the narrative from the problem to the solution through faith.

v.21And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.

v.22This passage

v.23And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 8:2

    And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

  • Matthew 20:34

    And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and straightway they received their sight, and followed him.

  • Luke 7:13

    And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

  • Matthew 9:28

    And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

  • Matthew 15:22

    And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

  • Matthew 14:31

    And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

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